TWO more superstar Central Murray Football Netball League players have joined the history books with Tyntynder’s Teagan Lawry and Swan Hill’s Matthew Wade picking up the 2016 Jack Betts Meals in netball and football respectively.
The netball best and fairest went down to the absolute wire, with Lawry winning on 25 points, followed by Woorinen’s Madeleine Jeans, Swan Hill’s Kelsey McCoy and Cohuna’s Allira Hammond all on 24 points in runner up.
Wade beat out respected ruckmen Troy Davis, Ryan O’Sullivan and the consistent Troy Coates to his first medal, in a thrilling night for the veteran.
While the Bulldogs were stunned by the Nyah Nyah West United Demons in the first round of the finals, Lawry was a stand out for the home and away season, becoming the first winner from her club since Libby Brecevic in 2010.
After the narrow count ended, Lawry said she was honoured to win the award.
“Congratulations to the runners up, I am honoured to be up there,” she said.
“I want to thank all of my teammates and especially my coach Hannah Collins… she has been fabulous.”
All eyes then turned to the football vote count, with the crowd tipping a tight contest from the outset.
As the count wore on, it was clear a handful of players were right up there, including Wade and O’Sullivan.
The Tooleybuc Manangatang ruckman was a favouite amoung the crowd going into the night, but the dark horse Wade was also mentioned.
At the end of the count, the Swan was taken aback by the award.
“Thanks very much, I didn’t expect this at all, I have really enjoyed my football this year,” Wade said.
“I am honoured to come up with this award… I had a good year but it is about enjoying the football and then you start playing better.
“It has been a good year for our young kids too, they have stepped up and took a load off us older blokes.”
